Formulating a Strategy for the Promotion of Non-Violent Conflict Resolution in a Democracy

The world today is fraught with violence and conflicts. This state of affairs is made all the more dangerous by the development of nuclear technology and the possibility of dissemination of military applications of this technology to unstable countries and militant terrorists. At the same time, there has been a rapid diffusion of democratization since the conclusion of the cold-world war, and this a most promising development. Conflicts indeed are inevitable where interpersonal relationships exist. But conflicts do not inevitably have to lead to violence, or loss of property or of life. Conflicts can be resolved peacefully, and the democratic process is especially well suited for peaceful resolution of conflict. What is needed within the democratic context is knowledge, skill and commitment to the process of peaceful means of resolving conflict. An important component of the process of promoting peaceful conflict resolution is an effective program of peace education. To make the process effective, there needs to be a sound educology of peace education, i.e. there needs to be sound knowledge about how to make the peace education process work and take widespread effect